LAHORE: The era of handwritten bills at restaurants and other hospitality businesses in Punjab is coming to an end as authorities push for a more transparent and digital tax system.
The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has banned handwritten receipts at restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and marriage halls across the province, making electronic invoicing mandatory to curb tax evasion and improve sales monitoring.
The decision was taken on the directives of PRA Chairman Muazzam Iqbal Sapra, following which commissioners in all districts issued notifications regarding the new requirements.
Under the new regulations, all restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and marriage halls are required to issue customer receipts through the Electronic Invoice Monitoring System (EIMS) instead of handwritten bills or manual documents.
The PRA has prohibited businesses from issuing kitchen order slips, unpaid bills or similar documents as official receipts. Establishments must now provide customers with receipts carrying essential details, including the business name, address, receipt number and the PRA’s QR code.
Businesses failing to issue receipts through the EIMS may face fines ranging from Rs400,000 to Rs1 million, while repeated violations could lead to the sealing of establishments for up to one month.
The authority has also warned of strict legal action against businesses involved in interfering with official duties, tampering with sales records or failing to provide required documentation.
According to PRA officials, the measure aims to digitise sales records, strengthen transparency in the tax collection system and prevent tax evasion across Punjab.
